Teacher: JETHRO G.

OREJEULA Subject: Practical Research 1 (PR1)

Week: 2 Module: 2

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
Intended Learning Outcomes:
describes characteristics, strengths, weaknesses, and kinds of qualitative
research
discuss the importance of qualitative research across fields

Definition of Qualitative Research

This is a research type that puts premium or high value on people’s thinking or
point of view conditioned by their personal traits. As such, it usually take place in soft
sciences like social sciences, politics, economics, humanities, education, psychology,
nursing, and all business-related subjects. In a qualitative research, the reality is
conditioned by society and people’s intentions are involved in explaining cause-effect
relationships. Things are studied in their natural setting, enough for you to conclude that
qualitative research is an act of inquiry or investigation of real-life events. Giving you
more concepts about a qualitative research are the following paragraphs that
comprehensively present the elements or characteristics, types, and advantages of this
kind of research (Silverman 2013; Litchman 2013; Wallimna 2014; Suter 2012).

Qualitative Research is a scientific method of observation to gather non-

numerical data. It refers to the meanings, concepts, characteristics, metaphors,
symbols and description of phenomena, and not to their counts or measures.

Characteristics of a Qualitative Research

 Human understanding and interpretation

 Active, powerful, and forceful
 Multiple research approaches and methods
 Specificity to generalization
 Contextualization
 Diversified data in real-life situations
 Abounds with words and visuals
 Internal analysis

Purpose of Qualitative Research: Qualitative Research promotes a deep,

holistic understanding of a particular phenomenon.

MR. JETHRO G. OREJUELA | 0951967174 | [email protected]

CHARACTERISTICS OF QUALATITATIVE RESEARCH
KING THOMAS LEARNING ACADEMY | SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
1. Human understanding and interpretation in data analysis
2. Active, powerful and forceful in data gathering and rephrasing interview questions
3. Multiple research approaches and methods that allows you to plan your study and
being multi-method research
4. Specificity to generalization on specific ideas will lead to generalizations or
conclusions.
5. Contextualization - context or situation of individual’s life
6. Diversified data in real-life situations on collecting data in a natural setting
7. Abounds with words and visuals that present people’s view in a picture, video,
drawing or graphs.
8. Internal analysis on examining the data yielded by the internal traits of the subject
persons.
STRENGTHS OF QUALATITATIVE RESEARCH
1. It adopts a naturalistic approach to its subject matter.
2. Promotes a full understanding of human behavior/personality traits in their natural
setting.
3. It is instrumental for positive societal changes.
4. It engenders respect for people’s individuality.
5. it’s a way of understanding & interpreting social interactions.
6. Increases researcher’s interests in the study.
7. Offers multiple ways of acquiring and examining knowledge about something.
WEAKNESSES OF QUALATITATIVE RESEARCH
1. It involves a lot of researcher’s subjectivity in data analysis.
2. It is hard to know the validity/reliability of the data.
3. It is open-ended questions yield “data overload” that requires long-time analysis.
4. It is time-consuming.
5. It involves several processes, whose results greatly depend on the researcher’s
views or interpretations.

KINDS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

1. Case Study - Long time study of a person, group, organization or situation and
an empirical inquiry that investigates current phenomenon.
Example: “Teenage Pregnancy in the Public High Schools”
2. Ethnography - a study of a particular cultural group.
Example: “Cultural Awareness and Integration of Peace Education in the
Indigenous Peoples (IP) Communities”.
3. Phenomenology - “live-experienced” of a phenomenon.
Example: “Life without Gadget”
4. Content and Discourse Analysis
 Content Analysis - is a research technique that analyzes the modes of
communication such as letters, e-mails etc.
  Discourse Analysis - is the study of social life, understood through analysis of
language it includes face-to-face talk, non-verbal interaction, images and
symbols.

Materials for Discourse Analysis include books, newspapers, periodicals, brochures and
advertisements.

Example: “A Discourse Analysis on the Impact of Modern Technologies on

Communication”

5. Historical Analysis - is a qualitative method where there is an examining of past

events to draw conclusions and make predictions about the future.
Example: “The Impact of Ferdinand Marcos’ Speech”
6. Grounded Theory - takes place when there is a discovery of new theory which
underlies your study at the time of data collection and analysis.
Example: “The Story Behind the Migration of Christians from Visayas and Luzon
to Mindanao”
7. Narrative Report - designed to present things or events that have happened in
the past through a logical progression of the relevant information. The main
purpose of a narrative report is to present a factual depiction of what has
occurred.
Example: “Vocabulary Building of Students through Proper Solid Waste
Management”
8. Biography - is the study of an individual’s life and struggles and how they reflect
cultural themes of the society. It deals with an interesting story found in
documents and archival materials. It is concerned with the reconstruction of life
histories and the constitution of meaning based on biographical narratives and
documents.

Five common types of biography are:

1. Scholarly Chronicles -focus on the historical portrayal of an individual life. e.g.

“Biography of Gloria M. Arroyo, the First Woman President of the Philippines”
2. Intellectual Biography - narrative of a life through the conceptual analysis of the
subject’s motives and beliefs within the world of ideas. e.g. “Life and Works of Dr.
Jose Rizal”
3. Life History Writing - recording of life memories, experiences, whether one’s or
another’s. e.g. “The Hardships of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW’s)”.
4. Memoir Biography - stylistic presentation of the biographer’s reflections and
insights in relation to the factual account of life. e.g. “The Experiences of
Stranded Students in the COVID-19 Pandemic”
5. Narrative Biography - a nonfiction account of life experiences of a person. 9.
Action Research- is a classroom-based or school-based research seeks
transformative change through the process of taking action and doing research,
 which are linked together by critical reflection. This type of research is commonly
conducted by the teachers to give solutions to the existing problems to improve
students’ academic performance and positive attitudes.

RESEARCH IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE

Research studies happen in any field of knowledge: Anthropology, Business,

Communication, Education, Engineering, Law and Nursing.

A. Basic Research Approaches in a Specific Area of Discipline

1. Scientific or Positive Approach

 Deals with empirical data instead of personal views, feelings or attitudes.
 Allows control of variables or factors affecting the study (Laursen 2010).
 Express and records findings quantitatively.
 Presents structured interviews, questionnaires and observational checklists.

2. Naturalistic Approach
 A people-oriented approach focusing on discovering the real concept or
meaning behind people’s lifestyles and social relations.
 Present things qualitatively through verbal language. Using words as unit of
analysis.
 Bases determining universal social values to define ethical and unethical that
society ought to know, not only for the benefit of individual and community but
also for the satisfaction of man’s quest for knowledge.” (Sarandakos 2013;
Ransome 2013)

Example: Talking to ethnic groups or people with other culture in a natural

setting. In this case, the researcher uses unstructured interviews and the
participants’ answer/response is not scripted.

3. Triangulation/ Mixed Method

 Allows a combination or a mixture of research designs, data collection and
data analysis techniques.
 Enhance the validity and reliability of qualitative research design.
 Enhances accuracy of interpretation.
 Has an opportunity to view every angle of the research from different
perspectives.

(3) Main Methods of Data Collection

a. Interactive interviewing - people asked to verbally described their
experiences of phenomenon.
b. Written descriptions by participant - people asked to write descriptions of
their experiences of phenomenon.
c. Observation - descriptive observations of verbal and non-verbal behavior.
 In the field of Humanities, researchers ought to focus not to man’s social
life but instead studies it’s meanings, significance and visualizations of man’s
experiences in the field of Fine Arts, Literature, Music, Drama, Dance and other
artistically inclined subjects.

Humanistic Categories
1. Literature and Art Criticism
Focus on language depends on interpretative and reflective thinking.
2. Philosophical Research
The focus of inquiry is on knowledge and principles of being and on the
manner human beings conduct themselves on Earth.
3. Historical Research
Investigation centers on events and ideas that took place in man’s life at a
particular period.

Hard Sciences versus Soft Sciences

Quantitative Research Qualitative Research

Hard Sciences Soft Sciences
Studies natural data driven Studies human behavior in a scientific
phenomenon manner
Objective Subjective
Tests Theory Develops Theory
Numbers Words
Cause and Effect Relationship Knowing meaning & discovery
Statistical Analysis and Researcher’s interpretation
Generalizations
Examples: Biology, Chemistry, Examples: Sociology,
Physics, Astronomy, Earth Science Psychology, Political Science,
Economics, Anthropology,
History

 Qualitative and Quantitative Research can go together in a research approach.

 There is a symbiotic relationship between these two research methods, in
which they reinforce or strengthen each other.
 Moreover, any form of knowledge, factual or opinionated and any statistical or
verbal expression of this knowledge are deduced from human experience that is
subjective. (Hollway 2013; Letherby 2013)
Name: ______________________________________ Strand/Section: ____________
Teacher: JETHRO G. OREJEULA Subject: Practical Research 1 (PR1) Week: 2
Type of Assessment: Formative Assessment Deadline: March 05, 2020

Directions: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. “A student really idolizes his English teacher who is very expert in grammar and
literature. The former wants to write a scholarly chronicle about the latter’s experiences
including his family background, how he achieved his success in life, his likes and
dislikes, his achievements and struggles in life.” What type of qualitative research
should a student employ?
a. Historical Research b. Discourse Analysis
c. Biography d. Narrative Report

2. It is a qualitative research in which data related to the past events are systematically
collected and evaluated to describe potential causes, effects, or trends related to those
events.
a. Historical Research b. Discourse Analysis
c. Biography d. Narrative Report

3. All of the following are strengths of qualitative research EXCEPT

a. Explores sensitive issues
b. Captures diversity of experiences and perceptions
c. Allows participants to freely exchange ideas
d. Proves a certain theory or principle

4. Which of the following is one of the weaknesses of a qualitative research?

a. Results are limited as they provide less elaboration of human perceptions.
b. Data created through qualitative research are always accepted.
c. Data analysis involving numerical data is difficult.
d. There is a limited review of related literature or in-depth information about the topic.

5. Which of the following is EXCLUDED from the importance of qualitative research in

daily life?
a. Qualitative unveils individual’s perception, feelings and attitudes about a certain
phenomenon.
b. Qualitative research allows the researcher to immerse in the community where the
participants live.
c. Qualitative research stimulates people’s interdependence or interpersonal
relationship.
d. Qualitative research lets the researcher to validate the previously constructed theory
or principle.

MR. JETHRO G. OREJUELA | 0951967174 | [email protected]

KING THOMAS LEARNING ACADEMY | SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Name: ______________________________________ Strand/Section: ____________
Teacher: JETHRO G. OREJEULA Subject: Practical Research 1 (PR1) Week: 2
Type of Assessment: Summative Assessment Deadline: March 12, 2020

describes characteristics, strengths, weaknesses, and kinds of qualitative

research
discuss the importance of qualitative research across fields

Direction: Ponder on things in your surroundings – the construction of your house, your
computer, the composition of your family, TV programs, social networking (Facebook,
Instagram, Twitter), cellphones, tablets, destructive plastic bags, religious groups, you
classmates, your school, fast food restaurants, etc. mulling over these things, think of
one good topic you can research on qualitatively. But before doing an actual research,
write a descriptive essay about the application of qualitative research on your chosen
topic. Make sure that your descriptive essay explains the connection of your topic with
all the essential things you have learned about qualitative research.

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MR. JETHRO G. OREJUELA | 0951967174 | [email protected]

KING THOMAS LEARNING ACADEMY | SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT